Rugby loses one of its iconic figures. Franco Zani, a three-time French champion and a gentleman of the oval ball, leaves behind the memory of an exemplary player and a deeply respected man.
”Rugby is a sport for thugs played by gentlemen,” said Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and Jean Lacouture. On this Easter day, the people of Armandie, players, staff, supporters, and rugby lovers, have lost their gentleman. Franco Zani, one of their legends, will be remembered by all as a ”classy” player, a collective elegance, generous, respectful of the rules of the game and the referee, but also as a righteous and honest man.
Arriving in 1961, the Italian international formed a legendary back row with Louis Echavé and Michel Sitjar, which led Pierre Lacroix to say that without them, he would have remained an ordinary fly-half. He became a three-time French champion in 1962, 1965, and 1966.
Coach Maurice Magnac eventually convinced him to step up in the forwards, becoming a feared number eight on every French rugby field. Jean-François Fonteneau recalls: ”At the time, he had an exceptional build and a face fit for the cinema. For me, he was the Lino Ventura of rugby. A true gentleman!”
In 1965, Charly Nieucel captained the Cadets, and the club, at the peak of French rugby, clinched three titles: the first team, the reserves, and the Cadets. Charly remembers: ”I had his photo in my room… We toured with the first team, and five years later, I played with him in the semifinal against La Voulte between Sijar and Biémouret. Franco played second row with Plantefol. We used to call each other regularly. I knew he was tired, but I hoped his fighting spirit would overcome the illness.”
Daniel Dubroca did not know him as a player, but he greatly appreciated the man: ”He was a great man, who was universally liked by all who knew him. A man with a big heart.” The reactions are unanimous. The former Agenais Jean-Pierre Gardes, now in Toulouse, never misses a match at Armandie and holds Franco in high respect and admiration.
When he hung up his boots, he became an educator at SUA ”to give back to the club everything it had given him.” He tried to instill in the younger generation the discipline that had brought him glory, and despite his demands, he was well-liked. To his wife, his family, and all the people of Armandie, sincere condolences are offered. Rest in peace, Franco.
(Note: Franco Zani was a respected rugby player and coach who left a lasting impact on the sport in France.)
